Hematology and serum biochemistry of European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) in Croatia

Hematological and Serum Biochemical Values of Free-Ranging Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Poland

This study presents the hematological and serum biochemical values of physically captured roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study material was blood sampled from roe deer captured with the use of a specialist trap mesh and no anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from 122 roe deer from January to April in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the Lublin region of Poland. The hematological and biochemical variables were determined with results showing statistically significant differences between the mean values of RBC, HCT, and HB according to sex. Reference intervals should be more specific to the broad physical versus chemical capture categories.

Haematological profiles of Indonesian fat-tailed sheep under different physiological conditions

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of sex, age, feed and physiological conditions on the haematological profiles of Indonesian fat-tailed sheep. A total of 32 healthy Indonesian fat-tailed sheep in different physiological states (i.e. suckling lambs/weaners aged 1-5 months, postweaning lambs aged 6-8 months, lactating ewes, rams, and pregnant ewes) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and then transferred into tubes for haematological analysis. The results revealed the following: RBCs, 7.09 ± 0.52 million µL^-1; HCT, 46.76 ± 4.30%; Hb, 9.83 ± 0.57 g dL^-1; MCV, 69.88 ± 5.48 fL; MCH, 14.94 ± 0.71 pg; MCHC, 24.29 ± 1.36 g dL^-1; WBCs, 5.60 ± 1.24 thousand µL^-1; percentage of neutrophils, 58.30 ± 7.31%; percentage of lymphocytes, 41.63 ± 7.31%; and N/L ratio, 0.18 ± 0.05. The physiological status of the sheep affected RBCs, Hb, HCT and MCH (P < 0.05). The sex, age, feed and physiological status of the animals should be considered in the interpretation of haematological profiles in Indonesian fat-tailed sheep.

HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES OF CAPTIVE SOUTHERN LECHWES (KOBUS LECHE)

Blood samples collected from captive Southern lechwes (Kobus leche) were used to develop reference intervals for complete blood count and serum biochemistry values. The study population consisted in 108 healthy individuals, including 62 females and 46 males and 38 neonates (<2 days old), 27 juveniles (2 mo to 2 yr old), and 43 adults (>2 yr old) from the Réserve Africaine de Sigean, Sigean, France, between 2014 and 2016. No significant effects of sex and season of sampling were found. No significant differences were found for all hematology and biochemistry parameters between juveniles and adults, and their results were then combined. Significant differences were found between animals >2 mo old and neonates for most tested parameters; in particular, neonates had lower hemoglobin, eosinophil count, alanine transaminase, and total protein values, but higher alkaline phosphatase values. The reference intervals obtained were similar to values previously reported for other Bovidae species.

Changes in Haematological Parameters in Wild Ruminants Experimentally Infected with Haemonchus Contortus

Our study describes changes in haematological parameters in wild ruminants with parasitic infection. Six European mouflons (Ovis musimon), six fallow deer (Dama dama) and six roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were experimentally infected with the resistant strain of the model parasite 8000 L3 Haemonchus contortus. The blood samples were collected on Day 0, 16, 37, 58, 77, and 99 of the experiment. Mild anaemia was observed in mouflons and roe deer while red blood cells increased in red blood counts (total erythrocytes, haematocrit and haemoglobin). As for the white blood cells count, leucopenia with neutrophilia and lymphopenia was recorded in mouflons, in the fallow deer and roe deer leucocytosis with neutropenia and lymphocytosis were observed. Changes in the dynamics of haematological parameters were statistically insignificant.

Haematology and Serum Biochemistry Parameters and Variations in the Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)

Haematology parameters (N = 24) and serum biochemistry parameters (N = 35) were determined for wild Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber), between 6 months - 12 years old. Of the population tested in this study, N = 18 Eurasian beavers were from Norway and N = 17 originating from Bavaria but now living extensively in a reserve in England. All blood samples were collected from beavers via the ventral tail vein. All beavers were chemically restrained using inhalant isoflurane in 100% oxygen prior to blood sampling. Results were determined for haematological and serum biochemical parameters for the species and were compared between the two different populations with differences in means estimated and significant differences being noted. Standard blood parameters for the Eurasian beaver were determined and their ranges characterised using percentiles. Whilst the majority of blood parameters between the two populations showed no significant variation, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and white blood cell counts showed significantly greater values (p<0.01) in the Bavarian origin population than the Norwegian; neutrophil counts, alpha 2 globulins, cholesterol, sodium: potassium ratios and phosphorus levels showed significantly (p<0.05) greater values in Bavarian versus Norwegian; and potassium, bile acids, gamma globulins, urea, creatinine and total calcium values levels showed significantly (p<0.05) greater values in Norwegian versus Bavarian relict populations. No significant differences were noted between male and female beavers or between sexually immature (<3 years old) and sexually mature (≥3 years old) beavers in the animals sampled. With Eurasian beaver reintroduction encouraged by legislation throughout Europe, knowledge of baseline blood values for the species and any variations therein is essential when assessing their health and welfare and the success or failure of any reintroduction program. This is the first study to produce base-line blood values and their variations for the Eurasian beaver.

Biochemical indicators in serum of free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Slovenia

The aim of the study was to present the serum biochemical values in free-ranging roe deer as useful indicators of the health status of the animal. Blood samples of 63 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were collected during regular annual harvest in Slovenia and analysed for biochemical indicators. The following mean values were recorded: aspartate aminotransferase (3 µkat), alanine aminotransferase (0.7 µkat), alkaline phosphatase (1.5 µkat), lactate dehydrogenase (11.8 µkat), gamma glutamyltransferase (1.9 µkat), creatine kinase (16.3 µkat), urea (6.3 mmol/l), creatinine (136.9 μmol/l), total serum proteins (65.5 g/l), cholesterol (4.1 mmol/l), triglycerides (2.6 mmol/l), albumin (28.3 g/l), sodium (143.9 mmol/l), chlorine (106.4 mmol/l), calcium (2.5 mmol/l), inorganic phosphorus (4.1 mmol/l) and magnesium (1.6 mmol/l). This is the first report on concentration of serum glutamate dehydrogenase (0.16 µkat) and serum iron (34.9 µmol/l) in roe deer. There were no differences in the values of biochemical indicators between males and females (P< 0.05). To our knowledge this is the first extended research on this topic in roe deer.

Liver enzymes and blood metabolites in a population of free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) naturally infected with Fascioloides magna

We investigated the effects of Fascioloides magna infection on the serum biochemistry values of the naturally infected red deer population in eastern Croatia. The investigation was performed on 47 red deer with F. magna infection confirmed patho-anatomically in 27 animals (57.4%). Fibrous capsules and migratory lesions were found in 14 deer while only fibrous capsules without migratory lesions were found in 13 deer. In 13 deer both immature and mature flukes were found, in 5 deer only immature flukes were found and in 9 deer only mature flukes were found. Fascioloides magna infected deer with fibrous capsules and migratory lesions had significantly higher values for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose compared to uninfected deer. Fascioloides magna infected deer with fibrous capsules without the presence of migratory lesions had higher values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose, than the uninfected deer. The number of immature flukes was positively correlated with values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), LDH, GLDH, urea and triglycerides. The number of migratory lesions was positively correlated with GGT, GLDH, globulin and urea values. The creatinine value was positively correlated with the number of mature flukes. The trial showed that F. magna infection causes significant changes in serum biochemistry. Moreover, these changes do not completely resemble changes following F. hepatica infection. Further investigation of changes in liver enzymes and other serum metabolites in controlled, experimentally induced fascioloidosis in red deer is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of F. magna.